Hi friends, happy Wednesday! How are you today? Can you believe we are already halfway through July? Because I CAN’T. Today is tag day and, because I am a very logical person, I’m doing a tag no one tagged me to do because it sounds like fun. #says the girl who has tags undone since 2015, but whatever.
The Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag has been flying around everywhere and it goes down like this: there are tons of VERY HARD questions to answer, it seems like a LONG tag to do but also, like a very fun way to throwback the reading year so far. We’ve tackled this before, I am a very logical person so…I’m doing this. #whatever
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2017?
From the very first question, everything is already SO HARD to answer. I can’t pick one here, so I will pick two from two different genres. For my love, my endless favorite genre, contemporary, I will go with The Color Project. It was such a wonderful surprise and easily one of my favorite books of the year so far.
For another genre I’m growing to love more and more, fantasy and retelling, I’m going to go with the incredible The Forbidden Wish and cry because I feel like not many people have read this. Go add this to your TBR right away, people. It is SO worth it because: Aladdin, stunning writing and world-building and overall FEELINGS.
2. Best sequel of 2017 so far?
I haven’t read many sequels so far this year, so I will go with apparently the only one I read, which is The Raven King – the finale of The Raven Boys series. This series has a complicated relationship with readers: some love them, some hate them. I really loved them all.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
OH there are way too many books I want to read but can’t because I can’t buy all of the books at the same time otherwise I will just drown. That would be a good way to go through, drowning in books? ANYWAY, I haven’t got the chance to read Flame In The Mist yet – it’s one of my most anticipated books and I loved The Wrath and the Dawn so much. Despite mixed reviews, I am so looking forward to reading this one sometime soon.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
Same here, I can’t just choose ONE BOOK because WHO DOES THAT? So I’m going to go with three, the most obvious choice coming first: John Green’s new book, Turtles All The Way Down. Green is my favorite author of all times and it’s been years since his last 
release. Plus, the book sounds awesome and the title has turtles in it.
Second book here, Ringer by Lauren Oliver. Another one of my favorite authors and I loved Replica, the first book in this series, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Third – but not last, the list is endless but I will spare you -, Book of Dust, by Philip Pullman. The Northern Lights series is one of my favorites from my childhood and I am so impatient to get back in this world again.
5. Biggest disappointment?
I’m glad to say there hasn’t been one book I rated lowed than 3 so far this year. However, if I should say a book disappointed me, maybe it would be Life In a Fishbowl. I expected a bit more from it, or at least something different, and that wasn’t it.
6. Biggest surprise?
The Young Elites, by Marie Lu for sure, because what a CRAZY book. As you know, I am getting more into fantasy and boy, that one was all kinds of crazy, filled with betrayals and murders and what-is-happening moments. I didn’t expect to love it that much but now I can’t wait to read the second book even if I am scared as hell to.
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
Hmm, hard question once again, but maybe I would go with Heather Demetrios. I read I’ll Meet You There earlier this year thanks to Melissa’s endless recommendation and I do not regret it. I loved it so, so much, the story, the writing and the characters, I can’t wait to read more from this author and feel like she’s going to be a favorite of mine.
8. Newest Fictional crush?
Ohhhh, for that one let me go with Jack from The Anatomical Shape of a Heart. He was so sweet, comprehensive and everything you can hope a love interest could be in a book – and in real life, let’s be honest #goals. Also, one half of a very healthy relationship in YA contemporary #doublegoals.
9. Newest favorite character?
Hm, for that one I would go with Taylor from Queens of Geek – she was such a great and, most importantly, relatable character, I felt like hugging her every two seconds.
10. Book that made you cry?
I could go with The Color Project again here because I cried like a baby – but I’m going to share a different book here and go with 180 seconds, by Jessica Park. That book was an amazing surprise and I didn’t expect to be so moved by the story and what was happening. I cried like a baby as well. I’m a book crier. Is that a thing?
11. Book that made you happy?
Everyone doing this tag will have the same answer here basically, so let’s NOT be original and go with the roll….. When Dimple Met Rishi made me super, duper happy I couldn’t stop smiling like an idiot. I fell in love with the characters, their relationship slowly building and adorable interactions.
12. Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year?
I can’t recall watching one book to film adaptation so far this year…I am failing here, so I will answer this question differently and say that I can’t WAIT to watch the Before I Fall adaptation.
13. Favorite review you’ve written this year?
I really loved writing my review for I’ll Meet You There – I am rarely satisfied with my reviews, I never feel like I am doing the book any justice but there, for once, I thought I did okay?
14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
The wanderlust in me LOVES the cover of Wanderlost -see what I did there #badwordpun – and it was a Christmas gift from my sister so double-yay. Also, I love the cover for The Walls Around Us, so mysterious and beautiful.
15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
What kind of question is that?! I need to read ALL THE BOOKS, obviously.
Because I’m really curious….Did you read and loved / hated any of those books?
What is your favorite book of the year so far? What book made you cry this year (and are you a book crier like I am?)? Which books are you eagerly anticipating – so I can do that with you? Let me know everything in comments!
I love your choices! I am such a book crier (I count it as a fail of a book CANT make me cry) so that question would be hard for me haha. I’d have to do the most recent book to make me cry or something.
OH yay, another book crier, I feel less alone ahah 🙂 Sooo what is the most recent book that made you cry? I am curious now :p
Always and Forever, Lara Jean. I cried tons of happy (and some sad)tears reading that.
Ohhhhh yes. That book made me emotional as well, I loved it so much <3 <3
I though Wanderlost was a bit meh, same with the Color project and The Young Elites. But all of the books you mention are reall interesting . Ihave a copy of Replica, so I definitely need to read that soon. I don’t often sob with books, but When Breath Becomes Air was pretty upsetting. I’m really anticipating The Glass Spare!
Oh, and did you only read the first book in The Young Elites series then, or did you continue? 🙂
Ohh The Glass Spare sounds so good, I have heard a bit about that one and have it on my TBR as well 🙂
Thank you so much, Shanti 🙂
My favorite book this year so far has to be The Little Paris Bookshop by: Nina George. While I’m not a book crier this one did me in. It’s wonderful! While I haven’t read any of the above, I certainly have a few I need to add to my list now!
Ohh, thank you so much for the recommendation – I need to check out that book then 😀
I LOVED The Young Elites too! You have to read the rest of the series- they are amazing!
Ohhh you read the whole series and loved it then, I guess? 😀 I’m eager to read more for sure 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment <3
I havent read Before I Fall book but i saw the movie the other day and loved it. i hope you enjoy it too.
Loved reading this post!
Ohh I’m glad you enjoyed the movie! Are you planning on reading the book? 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
I’d love to read the book once I get my hands on it. ?
I hope it’ll be soon then – and that you’ll love it as much as I did! ?
Thank-you so much sweetheart! ?
<3 <3 <3
So very glad you decided to do this because it has given me a few ideas to check out.
I love stories.
OH this makes me so happy! I hope you’ll discover some books you love there 🙂
I’m so glad you loved Forbidden Wish and I can’t wait to get to Young Elites 🙂 great list!
I hope you’ll like it as much as I did! 🙂 Thank you so much <3
AGH I NEED the colour project so bad?? And Ringer (Replica was pretty good) and Raven Boys and Flame In The Mist. BUT I PRACTICALLY WILL DIE for the book of dust. I don’t NEED it. I..WILL DIE WITHOUT. The Young Elites was fantastic. the Rose Society left me pondering and I just finished The Midnight Star AND OMG MY LIFE THAT ENDING CAN I BREATHE? You must read the last 2 books ASAP!
Queens Of Geek sounds fantastic and I’ve heard so many squishable things about When Dimple Met Rishi!!!
OH YES you do, The Color Project was SO GOOD, I loved it so much <3 and you liked the His Dark Materials series??? This makes me so happy. I love this series so much and was so excited to hear there'd be more of this world with The book of dust <3 <3
Okaay you are making me impatient but also SCARED to read the Rose Society?! But I need to read it soon, I can't take this suspenseee!
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Mahriya! <3 <3 <3
His Dark Materials was honestly mind-blowing. i read it so long ago though? Definitely need to re-read! I am sooo excited for The Book Of Dust!
The Rose Society is good-ish? But the whole series is definitely worth your time and The Midnight Star will kill you.
Oh yes, I read it so long ago as well, a re-read is sooo needed 🙂
Thank you so much ahah, I’m eager to read the rest of the series now 😀
I really want to read The Colour Project!! I’ve done this tag (it’s being published tomorrow) and TATWD is also my most anticipated read for the latter half of the year! Great post, I loved writing this tag as much as I love reading everyone else’s responses!
OHh yay, I’ll read your answers for sure 🙂 I’m so glad you’re excited about TATWD, it has been so long since we read something by him! <3 <3
Thank you, it’s just been published ? I know right, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve TFIOS and Looking for Alaska!!
I’m SO happy you love his books just s much as I did! <3 <3 <3
I loved reading this tag!! I LOVED the Forbidden Wish!!! OMG what an amazing book! Also I can’t wait for the Color Project to come out! I keep seeing such amazing things about it and I really want to read it!! I totally agree about Jack from The Anatomical Shape! I just finished that a few days ago and it is such a feel-good adorable read. And I just ordered 180 seconds about an hour ago, so its so funny that I’m seeing it here too! It was a total impulse buy (ya know, to get the amazon cart to $25 for free shipping), and I’ve never seen it anywhere before!
Ohh thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you liked this tag! Also, I feel like we have the same taste in books, which is AWESOME! 😀
I’m so eager for you to read both The Color Project and 180 seconds, both are favorites of mine now 😀 <3
Thank you so much for your comment <3 <3
I was literally just about to write my midyear book freakout tag post! I wasn’t tagged either but it looks so fun I can’t NOT do it, right? I’m so glad to see you enjoyed The Young Elites as the trilogy is on sale for a brilliant price online so I think I’m going to buy it which is quite risky as I’ve never read anything by Marie Lu, but #YOLO. ;D The Forbidden Wish sounds amazing, I really want to get me a copy. THAT COVER THOUGH.
OH yay! This is such a fun tag, it’s a bit long to figure out which books to pick, though, ahah 🙂 OH YES, that’s so great – I hope you’ll enjoy The Young Elites series. I was a bit scared to start this, but I was so surprised by how much I loved it. Hopefully it will be the same for you! 🙂
RIGHT? Get the Forbidden Wish as soon as you can 😀 <3
Thank you so much, Kyra <3 <3 <3
Great picks for this Marie! 🙂 So many of these books sound amazing, or they’re ones I’ve read which I know are amazing. 🙂 I haven’t read The Forbidden Wish but it’s on my to-read list and I want to try and get around to it soon, I love fairytale retellings and all the great things I’ve heard about it are working in its favour. Flame in the Mist is brilliant, and I’m sure you’ll love it, and after reading the Legend trilogy I want to try and get around to The Young Elites soon too. So many books to read and just not enough time right?
At the moment my favourite book is A Conjuring of Light, probably not a surprise though. 🙂
Again great answers for this. 😀
OH yees, you should read The Forbidden Wish sometime soon, it is such a stunning book, I’m sure you’d love it 😀 <3
Thank you so, so much! <3 <3
It’s on my to-read list, along with about a hundred other books, but I’ll try and get around to it before this year is up for sure! 😀
That’s all right! 🙂 ❤️
I can’t wait for you to read it, it is fantastic <3
*smacks herself because she still hasn’t read the Forbidden Wish* No, but seriously, I need to get to that book ASAP, because I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Marie. I’m SO excited for John Green’s new book too! It sounds fascinating, and it seems like I’ve waited forever for him to put out something new, ha. Great post, and I hope the next half of the year is wonderful. <3
~ Aimal @ Bookshelves & Paperbacks
Oh YES you do need to read The Forbidden Wish soon, it is FANTASTIC, I loved it so much! <3 I can only hope you'll like it just as much.
I'm so happy you're excited about Green's new book as well – it has been way too long since we read something by him. I can't wait <3
Thank you so, so much, Aimal! <3 <3
I’m so glad you liked The Young Elites! Like I’ve said like… a lot of times before XD TRS wasn’t my favorite but AGH THE MIDNIGHT STAR. <3 The Raven King was so good! And I can't wait for Ringer to come out — I need more Pete and Gemma!
(Haha just realized that Heather Demtetrios wrote Bad Romance oops.)
I can’t wait to read more of The Young Elites series, I’m hoping to get to it soon because I am so curious (and so scared as well hahaha).
Haha really? Did you read Bad Romance already? 🙂
Thank you so much, May! <3 <3
No, I still need to get to Bad Romance! But it looks SOOOO GOOD. ?
Right? It looks REALLY good, can’t wait to read it! 😀
Great post!
Great post! I need to check that one by Philip Pullman out!
Great post! I need to check out the one by Philip Pullman!
Oh thank you so much! YES definitely – can’t wait for that book 😀
I swear with every post I read from you, my book list is getting longer and longer! I loved reading about your favorites and disappointment throughout the year so far! As I’ve told you in many of your past posts, the moment I get more money, I’ll be purchasing them all xxx
Melina | http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com
OH YES – this makes me SO happy ahah, that’s basically my goal: make you read all of the books 😀 I hope you’ll get to read some of these and love them as much as I did 🙂
Thank you so much, Melina! <3 <3
Of course, you’ll be seeing reviews of the books you recommended to me throughout the rest of the year 🙂 xxx
Can’t wait! 🙂
The Raven King was an amazing sequel! I’m kinda anticipating the new John Green book too; I don’t like all of his previous books but I’m willing to give the new one a try! Also, Heather Demetrios is a new favorite author of mine too! I just finished her newest novel Bad Romance recently and it blew me away 🙂
OH this makes me so happy to hear, Anushka! I really hope you’ll enjoy the next John Green book better than the previous ones, then 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed Bad Romance so much – and you’re not such a contemporary reader, if I remember correctly? That’s so great – I can’t wait to read that one! 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
Yeah I don’t like YA contemporary, but was blown away by the book. I hope you love the book!
I hope so too! 🙂 <3
I read the Rose Society too. It was also average, but I’d have to look up my review to remember why
Well I’ll have to look up your review as well once I read the book, then 😀
I love your choices, Marie! I’ve yet to read the Color Project. I feel like it’s going to be one of my favourites of 2017 so I should probably get to it soon haha 🙂 Also, YES to John Green (obviously) and I really like the sound of The Anatomical Shape of the Heart. I’ve added it to my TBR just now.
PS: I’ve ordered a signed (??) copy for Turtles All the Way Down. I found the ISBN and ordered it from an online book shop in Europe that ships to my country so it should be signed but, I don’t know, I’m not getting my hopes up. I don’t think there’s much chance it’s actually going to be signed. Think about it. If there’s 200.000 signed copies in a first printing of 1.5 million books, what are the odds international countries are going to get their hands on a signed one? Either way, I’ll be getting the book as soon as it releases (signed or not) 😀
I get it – I don’t really know if it’ll work this way or if we’ll end up with a non-signed copy but well…At least we tried 😛
It’s worth a shot, right? And we need a copy anyway so it’s not like we’re wasting money 😀
Agreed! And it’s worth a shot 😀
I hope you’ll read and love The Color Project as much as I did <3 <3 I'm really glad to hear that, the Anatomical Shape of a Heart was really, really good. Thank you so much! <3 <3
Wonderful post!I love all your posts and it absorbs me into it. Keep going
Oh thank you so, so much 🙂
I like this mid-year book freak-out quiz. Sadly, I haven’t read any of the books you have suggested her, although many sound great. I have read a lot of really great books, and great for different reasons. If you like middle grade, A Month of Mondays made me laugh; Pants Project, a young adult book, was fabulous, and The LightKeeper’s Daughters was also excellent. I am a crier. And I think it’s a thing.
Ohh thank you so, so much for your sweet comments and the recommendations, I’ll make sure to chec out these books 🙂
I hope you’ll get to read some of the books on my list and love them 😀
oh gosh- I literally keep seeing the Colour Project and Forbidden Wish *everywhere*- I need to read them!! I’m so glad you liked Raven Boys- I really enjoyed that series!! Ah yes Young Elites was so unexpected- I really enjoyed that series- I know what you mean about rushing out to get the next one- I hope you enjoy where it goes!! And yes, 180 Seconds made me cry too (how could it not?!!) I’m so so excited to read When Dimple Met Rishi!! Awesome post!!
YES YOU DO – both are incredible, I feel like you could love them, especially The Forbidden Wish! <3 <3
Thank you so much! WDMR was SO adorable <3
Oh brilliant!!!
I saw You Know Me Well in the header and was kind of hoping I’d find it in the line up for the answers, but oh well, you still had great responses to everything. Definitely let me know when you watch Before I Fall. I really enjoyed the movie, cried and all, but I haven’t read the book yet.
Thank you so much, Kat! <3 I'll let you know for sure, I hope to watch it soon <3
AHH I AM SO GLAD YOU LIKED THE YOUNG ELITES. That is one of my favorite trilogies. Marie Lu is one of my favorite authors. I hope you like the rest of the trilogy! LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK 😀
I will let you know for sure when I read it 😀 Thank you so much, Molly! <3
Great list! I’m looking forward to read The Forbidden Wish so I’m very excited about it. I loved Flame In the Mist and I hope you enjoy it when you finally get to read it. I’ve heard great things about When Dimple Met Rishi and I’m so glad you loved it. I hope I’ll get to read it soon!
Ohh thank you, Raven!! I can’t wait for you to read The Forbidden Wish, it was incredible <3 <3
The Raven King!! I’m still not over that book and I read it last year ? Also glad to see you enjoyed The Forbidden Wish and The Young Elites because I really need to read the both of those!!! I love Taylor so much!! She was so relatable and Queens of Geek was such a great book. I’m also super curious about how the new John Green book is going to be and I can’t wait for Ringer!!
YES oh you do need to read them both, especially The Forbidden Wish – I feel like no one has read that one and it’s soooo incredible, it deserves more hype!
Thank you so, so much, Lauren, I’m so glad we are eager for the same books to be released! 😀
I thought myself a book-lover, until I saw your list and realized I wasn’t familiar with any of them. They look good, though! Thanks for the recommendation. Cheers!
Ohhh well maybe we just don’t read the same books, doesn’t make you any less of a book lover 😀 Thank you so much, hope you’ll read and enjoy a couple of these books 😀
“When Dimple Met Rishi” was on my list as well. It`s such a cute and funny contemporary. I loved Dimple`s snarky comments and Rishi was so adorkable, I have no words to describe how precious he is.
http://www.carmensreadingcorner.co.uk
Right? Rishi was my favorite, I loved him so much <3 thank you for stopping by! <3 <3
Thank you so much for this post! I adore getting book recommendations and some of these sound really great, definitely will be purchasing. Thanks!
SHAKIRA / SHAKIRA SACKS
Oh you’re so welcome, thank you for your sweet comment! I hope you’ll find books you love there 😀 <3
Oooohhh so many fantastic books! I bought Flame in the Mist a few days ago and it was totally random and not planned but I don’t regret it 😛 I probably wen’t get to it for a while but at least I have it in my shelves hahaha. I’m super excited to read Queens of Geek! From what you’ve said about it on your blog before and the community’s reviews, it sounds like a book I’d adore <3
Ohhh, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about Flame In The Mist. I heard some mixed reviews about it but I’m still eager to read it for now 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Jackie! <3 <3
I totally agree with you about Hearth Demetrios! I have been a fan since “Something Real” and I’m very surprised more people don’t read her. Plus, her fantasy books are just as well written as her realistic fiction which almost never happens.
Ohh I so want to read Something Real, it sounds SO good, I’m so glad you loved it! <3 <3
Oh what fantasy books did she write? I need to add them to my TBR 🙂
She wrote the “Dark Caravan Cycle” series. It’s about a genie. Very different from other books out there which made it awesome!
Ohhh thank you! I’ll check that out for sure, you made me curious 🙂
Great post and you’ve got some really fantastic books listed!!
Oh thank you so much Angela, glad you liked it 😀
I’m sooo glad to see The Forbidden Wish as one of your favourite books of this year! It was such an incredible book and I agree, a lot more people need to read it! 😀
I also really want to read Flame In The Mist, it sounds really amazing! I haven’t read anything by Renee Ahdieh yet, so I think I will read her other duology first – since that one is already finished. But I have heard amazing things about her books, so I’m exited to read something by her.
I’m glad to see that you enjoyed The Young Elites! Thats one of the books that I really need to read, especially since I read her Legend trilogy and really enjoyed it. The Young Elites sounds very exiting and like a book that I will enjoy, I definitely need to get my hands on it as soon as possible! 🙂
Oh, I’m eager for you to read The Wrath and The Dawn, it was one of my favorite books from last year for sure – I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
And I need to read Legend ahah, I am so happy you enjoyed it so much, it makes me impatient to read it 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Anna! 🙂
Hahaha I too have tags undone since 2015 so no worries ?
I really want to read The Forbidden Wish and many others on this list but ahhh so many other books I want to read too I seriously need a sponsor ?
Ahh yes I loved Taylor so much too!! I loved Charlie too, but since I could relate to Taylor more I did love her a bit more.
They pile up so quickly – or we are way too slow to get to them in time ? I’m glad I’m not alone ?
YES READ THE FORBIDDEN WISH please? I am sure you would LOVE it so much and it is my biggest goal to make everyone read this book ahah 😛
Thank you!! <3
Replica has a sequel! I didn’t know that! When does it come out? I need it NOW!!!
YES it does, it’s released in October I think?! I am SO impatient to read it 😀
I haven’t read any books on the list but I have read Replica which I really liked. And I also read Before I Fall which I loved! I haven’t read Ringer yet though. And I own When Dimple Met Rishi and I still haven’t read it. I really should.
Oh I’m so glad you loved Replica – such a great book and series, I loved the sequel SO much as well <3
Dimple was such a sweet book, I hope you'll love it 🙂